My life in 18th century
'Lady-Slipper Cottage'
in New Hampshire,
and a love story~

June 5, 2011

Adam and Mary on the coast of Maine~Our wedding anniversary '18thc. tea picnic'~

June 4, 2011~ It was the most perfect weather, so we chose this day for our annual wedding anniversary picnic in 18thc clothing. After posing for a few pictures in our yard before leaving, we spent the afternoon in historic York Maine. I made all the yummy and authentic food for our romantic picnic.

I am including several photos here, but to visit our website and see the entire gallery of pictures of our day, set to period musick, please click on the poster above, or this first photo below~

"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as Afternoon Tea."

Henry James/ 'Portrait of a Lady', 1881

Posing in our own yard before leaving...

(Many months ago Susan Jarrett of Maggie May Historical Clothing made me a regency shift with cap sleeves and a very low scooped neck. My 18thc. shifts were showing over the neckline of this gown. I wore this one for the first time, under my exquisite sacque-back, and it's perfect. It is also so nice to have a shift that is relatively sleeveless for summer reenacting. She makes lovely historic clothing of many eras.)

Handsome Adam~The food was scrumptious if I do say so myself, and the day could not have been more beautiful~

Adam was amazed at this old gravestone, which was almost as tall as I am.

We two posing out in front of the Old Gaol in York, Maine~

Strolling through the ancient graveyard in York. This tree had the most incredible tiny fuschia flowers all over it. Everything was green and in bloom. It was perfection~

The sun was so bright, that our camera could not capture all colors exactly. My gorgeous gown a la francais looks almost silvery or grey in some pictures, but itis actually a beautiful seafoam bluegreen color with gold.

Hi Mary, I am visiting from my Daughtie's computer, (and I have to compete with the Grandies.. hee) I miss visiting with ya too ;-) What a GREAT DAY you two had! Main is one of Hubby and my all time favorite places to go to.

Dear Lady Estelle,Thank you so much for the kind words and good wishes~Needless to say, I love tea parties as much as you do!I love 'visiting' you, and can't wait for our next 18thc. outdoor 'tea' in a couple weeks at the season opening at an historic house...Mary

Don't miss a day of sharing my New England life~CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW TO FOLLOW MY BLOG.~

Join my own 18thc.tea party---FOLLOW MY BLOG.

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About Me

I am a writer, an antique dealer, and a museum/historical society professional and public speaker. My husband and I present a variety of costumed historical programs. An antique dealer for over 20 years, I had an open shop at my home for over 10 years while also doing antique shows around the country. I now sell online only, from our own website, www.thecountryladyantiques.com We are long-time living history reenactors of several time periods-(While I love reading about them, I love LIVING them more!) I moved alone as a widow, to New Hampshire in 1998 from Illinois where I was born and raised. I bought a small, rundown 230 year old house in need of, well, everything! I spent almost 8 years alone rebuilding my life and making a home out of a 'sow's ear' with very little in the way of resources. I am a passionate amateur DIY restorer of my 18th century house. Adam and I married in 2007, and now we both live in the 'old brown cape' in rural New England with our 2 beloved 'yorkies'. Our beautifully restored period home is now for sale. What else do I love? You'll find out if you read my blog---This is my life!
website: www.thecountryladyantiques.com

RECENT POSTS~

While you are here please take time to comment. I sincerely appreciate all your kind words~

It is everyone's choice to read a blog or not. I do not allow anonymous comments, feeling very strongly that one should stand behind whatever they say. In my opinion, comments on any blog should be made in the spirit of kindness, friendship, and support. Nasty personal attacks are not, and never will be, tolerated.

An interview with Adam and Mary~

We were guests interviewed by Sherry at 'The Chronicles of a Modern Day Mozartian ' blog~ Click our photo to read.

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Thank you to Quinn Burgess of quinnmburgess blog for nominating me for this 'Inspiring blog' award.

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Thank you to Caroline at 'Dressed in Time' blog for nominating me for this blog award~

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Thank you to Alena at 'I'm Living History' blog for nominating me for this blog award~

OUR 18th CENTURY CENTER-CHIMNEY CAPE IS FOR SALE

LADY-SLIPPER COTTAGE~Come home to your own "little piece of heaven in New Hampshire". Click on the house for more information~

The story of an old New England house in 'BEFORE' and 'AFTER' pictures~

You might enjoy this series of posts I did chronicling the DIY restoration I did for many years on my 18thc. New Hampshire home, and complete with never before seen, hair-raising 'BEFORE' photos. Click on the photo above to read Part One.

AN 18thc. NEW ENGLAND DREAM HOUSE FOR SALE. LADY-SLIPPER COTTAGE

Click on photo to visit us!

Click to read about my DIY adventure rescuing an 18thc. house~

The period 'pilgrim' bake oven we built~

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READ ABOUT MY 'DIY' ADVENTURE RESTORING AN 18thc. HOUSE ALONE FOR 8 YEARS, AND THEN WITH ADAM. CLICK ON MY PICTURE TO READ A SERIES OF POSTS WITH THE STORY, AND 'BEFORE' AND 'AFTER' PHOTOS!

~At the Clipper Merchant and The Custom House Ballroom, dancing for the guests Nov. 7th~

Kind words from a reader, 2015~

"Dear Mrs. Spencer,

I discovered your blog a few days ago and have not been successful in publishing a comment...and then it occurred to me that I could send you an email! Brilliant!

Thank you for your beautiful blog. I am just enchanted by it. Your home, your teas, your sweet little doggies, your 18th century adventures, your love story and your joy with life is just pure delight! I am all admiration! You are such a beautiful inspiration to me! Thank you.

My warmest wishes for all good things to you and your good husband and your dear little dogs.

With all my Admiration,

Midori Hanus(in Washington state)"

Adam and Mary's 18thc. 5th wedding anniversary~

We were treated like royalty at a High Tea at the Clipper Merchant Tea House in Limerick Maine for our 5th wedding anniversary on a glorious summer day, 2012~Click on the above photo~

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Adam and Mary, December 2013, at a holiday event.

My blog made the 'Huffington Post'~

Click on the photto to visit the article. My blog is mentioned with a link at the bottom of the feature~

High praise...

"I am the newest follower of your blog- and let me tell you, it is more than fantastic. It is superb.~Pamela"

A lovely note about my blog that was emailed to me today, Jan. 27, 2011~

"Hi Mary,

I feel like I know you through your blog, which I have been following for about a year. My dearest friend is Karen Gillis, she just bought the beautiful apron from your site. Wanted to let you know that you continue to touch my life and encourage my intrest in history and reenacting. I share your blog with special people I meet along my day, so that they may know there is a gentle, softer, part of the universe. These are difficult times for all of us, and the humble grace and kindness that you share with others is a gift, and for that I want to thank you. I really love reenacting, my partner is Major Morgan of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Hopefully, we will meet face to face, until then, thank you my friend.

Marianne Lane"

A nice note from a reader of my blog~

I received this email personally on Friday, June 3, 2011 from a reader of this blog. I am touched, and so was Adam. I appreciate her kind words so much, and that she took time to email me.It means so much that many people enjoy my blog, and sharing a little of my New England life with me.~Mary

Hello Mary -

I do hope you will forgive my familiarity in using your first name, but after finding your blog and reading it religiously, I feel as if I do know you.

My name is Lynn E. and I live in your old home state, Illinois. I do not live an authentic 18th century lifestyle but have loved and collected antiques for years and consider the past my home. I am from_____, but go all over to antique shows and imagine that I have been in your antiques booth in prior times.

I just wanted to drop a note to thank you SO MUCH for your blog and the stories and pictures you post on it. I check each day for new posts and am thrilled when you have put one on there. I am unable to comment on any blog for some reason, hence the reason for this e-mail. I just wanted you to know that I am sure there are many of us who follow your writings but cannot or do not comment for whatever reason.

The beauty of your home and your joy in history are so moving and so enjoyable for me. And the sweetness of your love story radiates from your stories. Again I thank you for sharing your life and stories. You are touching the lives of people you do not even know.

All best wishes to you and your good husband.

Sincerely,

Lynn

Adam won a photo contest with this spontaneous photo he took of me~

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A true 'historical romance'...

For the true and amazing story of how we met read my post of November 17, 2010. Just click on this photo. Then read all about our authentic 18th century wedding in my series of posts in May, 2011~

Turn up your volume and click below to hear 'Jenny Pluck Pears'~

I walked down the aisle at our 18thc. wedding to 'Jenny Pluck Pears'~

This is a 17thc. tune that was played by live musicians---fiddlers---as I walked down the aisle in 18thc. attire at our period wedding in 2007. Click on the photo to read the first in a series of posts about our historical wedding. ~ Scroll down this sidebar to see a link for the true and amazing story or our 'historic courtship'~

Our 18thc. wedding~

For one magical and memorable day, we brought a bit of the 18thc.to life. We were delighted that our friends helped make it so, coming in period clothing, and even bringing their own period drinking mugs, etc.! We incorporated many aspects of a country wedding in New England in the 1700's, and added bits that were our own, and very meaningful to us. I have heard some people say they would like to "dress up" in 18thc. clothing for their wedding---Ours was not a 'theme' or a 'play dress up' wedding, nor were any ideas 'borrowed' from anyone else. We have backgrounds in history, and long experience as living history reenactors. We live in an 18thc. house that we love and restored to period style, and we live an 18thc.-style life, as much as is possible, and as I have for many years. We met and courted in a serendipitous, and true 18thc. way! Our wedding was an expression of how unique we are. It was not a show, but an extension of all we are as a couple...THE GENTLEMEN WERE REQUESTED TO BRING THEIR FIRELOCKS. THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY ARRANGED TO HONOR US WITH A 3-VOLLEY MUSKET SALUTE... This was often done at 18thc. country weddings in New England. I HAVE A 5 PART SERIES OF POSTS ABOUT OUR WEDDING IN MAY 2011. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO VISIT THE FIRST POST~

BOOM!

A musket salute from our friends at our 18thc. wedding~

We had stamps made with our photo to mail our wedding invitations~

Our historical rings~

You can see here a little of the replicas of 17th century 'posey' rings that we purchased from Plimoth Plantation for our wedding rings~ The inscription engraved in olde English around the band reads 'I am my beloved's and she (he) is mine'...

Fighting King Philip's War on film~ We are acting in a documentary film to be released soon~

Click on this photo of Adam taken at one of the film shoots to see the filmmakers trailer on Youtube. The film, 'The First Patriots' chronicles the 17thc. King Philip's War in New England~

Here we are with our reenactment unit are on Youtube~

Click on this photo to see the video~

We were acting in a documentary film about the 17thc. King Philip's War in New England~

Here I am 'on location' for the film talking with friend Ken Hamilton, the native American. Click on photo~

Appearing in the Granite State News~

Adam and Mary at High Tea, Sept. 2009

JULY 1st, 2010~Heifetz International Music Institute Gala Opening Concert~

Photo of Adam and Mary (portraying General James Wolfe and 'Miss Lacey'), with with Daniel and Janne Heifetz~Click on photo.

Adam and Mary preparing for their big historical event in their home, 'DINNER WITH THE PILGRIMS'~

'New Hampshire Magazine' featured an article on us in their November 2009 issue. This is a photo from the magazine interview~